Prom: A Chicago Phenomenon

Prom, known by many different names in many different countries, is a national holiday. Well, it is if you ask someone from Chicago. From rented Bentleys to iced out Rolexes, it is in the full sense of the word,

an Event.

For many years, black people have found ways to celebrate any and all progress of their people. This cultural principle is rooted in people of colors' attempt to reconcile the time lost during a long period of racist laws put in place by our country that prohibited blacks from congregating for dignified occasions like weddings or birthdays. Mostly because marriages and birth (yes, undeniable human birth) of black people could not be officially recognized by the government.

So, thousands upon millions of 'freed' salves, though still treated as though they were less than human, had children who they then taught to celebrate whatever they can, whenever they can. Because if they didn't cheer for themselves, who would? Fast forward 165 years post the emancipation to Chicago where the decedents of those who fled the south during the Great Migration of 1910 to 1970 have been filled by this theology that has trickled down the generations.

Crossing into adulthood will be, if nothing else, fabulous.

When communities gather to send their loved ones off to prom, you could feel the pride emanate from every puffed up chest in the room. Even after the Hollywood stars have left for their engagement, family, music, and possibly the inviting smells of a lit barbecue grill still fill the home for hours into the night; because this was not jut a milestone for the stars, Oh no. This is a communal win. A neighborhood occasion. A black, national, event.

On this day, we all win

A father.

Parents across the city get to see all that they've poured into their children come to fruition. They raised them to be "Somebody", and they get to watch their children, now adult children, wear that idea of "somebody" and make it their own.

Thee day. Immortalized

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Does your family have a big day approaching? Invite AGS to the party to capture the story of your day.